Diagnostic approach to narrow complex tachycardia with VA block.
Narrow complex tachycardia with VA block is rare. The differential diagnosis usually consists of (1) junctional tachycardia (JT) with retrograde block; (2) AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) with proximal common pathway block; and finally (3) nodofascicular tachycardia using the His-Purkinje system for antegrade conduction and a nodofascicular pathway for retrograde conduction. Analysis of tachycardia onset and termination, the effect of bundle branch block on tachycardia cycle length, and the response to atrial and ventricular premature depolarization must be carefully done. Making the correct diagnosis is crucial as the success rate in eliminating the tachycardia will depend on tachycardia mechanism.
Hamdan
M H
MH
UT Southwestern and Dallas VAMC, Cardiology Department, Texas 75216, USA.
Page
R L
RL
Scheinman
M M
MM
D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis